Michael Hogan reviews Sunday night's results show which saw boy band Nu Vibe
eliminated after the contestants were at the mercy of the public vote for
the first time.

Five down. Eleven remain. The second live results show of The X Factor failed to spring a surprise, but did see the smuggest judge and cockiest contestant get a wake-up call.

Chemistry-free boyband Nu Vibe, assembled from rejected solo Boys at Boot Camp and nicknamed “No Vibe”, were bookies’ favourites for the chop after two off-key performances and duly finished in the bottom two.

Head judge Gary Barlow was supremely confident that all his Boys would make it through, so got something of a shock when scruffy jack-the-lad Frankie Cocozza joined them. The cocky Brighton teenager might have swaggering charisma but his voice is relatively weak and he seems to have lost viewer goodwill after bragging during the audition stage about his sexual CV. Still, Cocozza edged out Nu-Vibe in the sing-off and might be chastened enough to bother putting a comb through his hair next week. Barlow should also look at his song choices and staging.

The show opened with the first group song of the series, all 12 remaining acts doing a tag-team version of Hello by Martin Solveig & Dragonette. It was less of a desperate jostle-for-attention than these affairs have been in the past and rather jolly, despite the blatant miming.

There were guest appearances by thunderingly mediocre boy band The Wanted and Mrs Russell Brand, Californian popstrel Katy Perry. The latter’s insistence on wielding an acoustic guitar was reminiscent of Matt Cardle, while her candy pink hair matched eliminated contestant Amelia Lily’s. Perhaps Perry has been watching the show. Simon Cowell, reportedly furious that ratings have slipped in his absence, will be pulling out the stops next week to make sure a couple more million join her.